The latest annual report issued by the New York City Comptroller’s office focuses on Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). The report notes gaps in participation among MWBE firms and identifies different recommendations that may help improve city procurement practices.  

While there has been some success in the city awarding contracts to MWBEs, there appears to be an inequitable distribution among the various contracting agencies and types of contracts awarded. 

There are ongoing barriers that are being experienced by MWBEs who are trying to obtain large contract awards (i.e., construction/engineering services, professional services), as many of the procurement regulations that apply within these industries have much more complex requirements.

Thus, those who follow contracting trends assert that the findings from this report reiterate long-standing recommendations for enhancing outreach to MWBEs, improving certification processes for MWBEs, and creating a more transparent MWBE procurement process. 

In addition to these findings, the report recommends the addition of an enhanced level of accountability and oversight that would help to ensure that all procurement agencies are meeting their individual MWBE participation goal and providing MWBEs the opportunity to bid on procurement contracts.

While city governments in the United States continue to re-evaluate their existing MBWE and small business policies, New York City's report provides a case example. Recently, the Orlando government developed a new, broad-based Small Business program to replace Orlando's MBWE Program. This is indicative of changing strategies regarding procurement processes and policies.

Other municipalities alike are increasing outreach and registration to encourage the inclusion of minority owned and women-owned firms through newly established initiatives in Charlotte.